Nebraska tractor relay raising money for veterans

The Nebraska Antique Tractor Association is raising money for veterans this week during their annual Tracker Relay Across Nebraska.

The relay brings tractors and their drivers around Nebraska to chat with the communities and raise money for Operation Comfort Warriors and “Gift for Yanks”

Diane Case has been with the group from the beginning. Her and her late husband were one of the first people to sign up back in 2012.

“I just look forward to it every year, it’s a lot of fun.” Case said, “I lost Charlie in 2016, so I’ve been doing this even since 2016, by myself.”

Operation Comfort Warriors gives benefits otherwise not available to veterans. The Tractor Association has been giving to this organization since 2014.  

In the last few years they have also been giving to “Gifts for Yanks” an organization making sure Nebraska veterans receive a gift for the holidays.

Since then, the Tractor Association has increased in popularity, drawing folks from across the country, like Carol and Howard Hemminger.

“To be honest with you, the tractor club people in New York, are just the same type of people as these  here, so we wanted to have a bigger group of people.” Howard Hemminger said.

The couple came out to Nebraska two years ago and after missing last years events, they missed the family feel of Nebraska and came back for

“The farm people, and they are just so friendly and kind and welcoming.” Carol Hemminger said.

Along with fundraising, the group tours places in Nebraska, like the Larson Dairy farm north of Creston, as well as different tractor collections.

Since 2014 the Association has been able to raise over $55 thousand for OCW, this year so far raising over $3 thousand.

Tires will continue to hit the road as these drivers make their way to the other stops in their 5 day relay to help veterans.